The Marinera is the national dance of Peru. Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is an unmistakable blend of several different cultures – African, Latin American and Spanish. It gained its name in 1879 in honor of the Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú) going to war with Chile. Previously it had been known as ‘The Chilean’ (La Chilena), but owing to the war, the name was changed to ‘Marinera’. It is a very elegant and graceful dance, serving to re-enact the course of a traditional courtship. The couple wave handkerchiefs in their right hands whilst engaging in a fairly complex set of dance steps, traditionally accompanied by guitars, bugles and box-drums (cajones). There are several different styles of Marinera – from Lima, from the coast and from the mountainous regions of Peru. Dance academies can be found throughout Peru and competitions are held frequently. The most important of these competitions is the National Competition of the Marinera (Concurso Nacional de Marinera) held during the National Festival of the Marinera (Festival Nacional de Marinera) in the city of Trujillo. Even if you cannot make it to Trujillo, or are not visiting Peru at the correct time of year (the competition is held in January), you might be lucky enough to see a show for free in Kennedy Park (Parque Kennedy), Miraflores, Lima. The Park often hosts open-air shows, typically on a Friday or Saturday night, and is a convenient 10 minutes walk from El Sol.